Pens ship Staal to Hurricanes

The Pittsburgh Penguins didn’t wait to negotiate a new contract with Jordan Staal, trading the center to the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night for center Brandon Sutter, defenseman Brian Dumoulin and Carolina’s first-round pick – the No. 8 selection.

The Penguins used that pick to take defenseman Derrick Pouliot of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. Pouliot played with Joe Morrow – whom the Penguins selected with their first pick in last year’s draft – in Portland.

The trade came one day after reports that Staal turned down a lengthy contract extension with the Penguins. The 23-year-old forward played six seasons with Pittsburgh, helping the franchise win the Stanley Cup in 2009. Staal will join brother Eric with the Hurricanes, who also have Jared Staal – currently in the American Hockey League.